Donald SHUMRICK

1925 - 2013

SHUMRICK

Donald Albert, M.D., 87, passed away on February 9th, 2013 at Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community, in Cincinnati. He was born on March 8th, 1925 in Newark, Essex, NJ to Albert and Anna (Young) Schulmerich (later changed to Shumrick). Donald grew up in Newark. He graduated from West Side high school Newark in 1942. Immediately after graduating (at age 17) he enlisted in the Navy and served on the aircraft carrier Salamaua as a torpedo gunner. He served in the Navy for 4 years and saw action throughout the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946 achieving the rank of Aviation Ordnance-man, Third Class. Following his discharge from the Navy he attended Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ where he received a BS degree in biology and graduated in 1949. He then attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis where he received a masters degree in human physiology and then a medical degree, graduating in 1957. He then pursued postgraduate medical training with a General Surgery Internship at the University of California San Francisco, a Otolaryngology residency at Washington University, St. Louis, MO and a Fellowship in Head and Neck surgery at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. He was then a faculty member in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Iowa for four years. In 1966 he became the first full time Professor and Chairman in the department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Cincinnati. He was 41 and the youngest chairman in the country. He served as Chairman for 25 years until 1991. During that time he built the department from just himself and a part time secretary to a nationally prominent program with extensive training programs in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatric Otolaryngology. He co-edited the first comprehensive text book on Otolaryngology (Otolaryngology-Paparella and Shumrick) which was considered the definitive textbook on Otolaryngology for many years. In addition he published over three dozen first author scientific papers, gave hundreds of lectures and organized multiple educational courses. During his chairmanship over two thousand medical students, one hundred residents and dozens of fellows were trained in the Department of Otolaryngology. Not only did this training benefit patients locally and nationally, but the department also nurtured the development of national and international experts and educators such as Robin Cotton, MD, Jack Gluckman, MD and Myles Pensak, MD. In addition to his educational accomplishments, he was also a world renowned Head and Neck Surgeon specializing in the treatment of cancers of the head and neck region. While a career in academic medicine and surgery would keep most individuals fully occupied, Don had a full and busy life outside medicine. He loved all things Italian and took Italian lessons for many years. He was an accomplished cook and knew more about wine (especially Italian) than most wine professionals. In 1972 his love of wine led him to establish one of Indiana's first (and at the time largest) commercial vineyard, winery and restaurant-- Chateau Pomije, in New Alsace, IN. He was also instrumental in establishing a wine store and restaurant in Cincinnati also named Chateau Pomije. After stepping down as Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology he occupied his free time by pursuing a Masters in Business Administration at Xavier University, which he obtained in 1996 at the age of 70 (said to be the oldest person to receive an MBA). He used the expertise gained with his MBA to start "Academic Medical Consultants" which was a business that provided medical experts for legal cases. Over the last ten years he showed a literary side and he wrote a trilogy of novels based on a heroine who became a Godfather figure within an American Mafia family. Over the last year he compiled his memoirs which we have yet to read but should be quite interesting. Donald married Honora Frances Pomije in 1951 in Shakopee, MN. They were happily married for 62 years. Donald was preceded in death by Albert and Anna (Young)Shumrick. He was an only child. Donald is survived by his spouse Honora of Cincinnati; his children; Kevin (Kathryn) Shumrick, MD of Cincinnati, Timothy (Julianne) Shumrick of Cincinnati, Terrance (Carol) Shumrick of Cincinnati, Tobin (Erminia) Shumrick of Cayucos, CA; Erin (Scott) Dougherty of Lakeside Park, KY; Patrick (Angela) Shumrick of Cincinnati, Michael (Jennifer) of Cincinnati, Shannon Shumrick of Cincinnati, Shelaugh (David) O'Bryan of Cincinnati. He is also survived by 30 grandchildren who call him "pappa" and each one is convinced that he/she is his favorite one. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cecilia Church, 3105 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, 45209 at 10:30am on Saturday, February 16th. A visitation will be held at the Geo. H. Rohde & Son Funeral Home, 3183 Linwood Ave Mt. Lookout Square, Cincinnati, 45208 from 4-8pm on Friday, February 15th. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations in Don's name be made to: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Medical Sciences Building Room 6507, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0528 Or St. Cecilia Church/School C/O Fr. Jamie Weber, 3105 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, 45209. Rohdefuneral.com

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